Healthy at 100

Book title : Healthy at 100; author : John Robbins

This is another book by John Robbins which I found the on-line sample chapter very interesting, informative and thought provoking.

Home page : http://www.healthyat100.org/

Sample chapter (Introduction page) : http://www.healthyat100.org/display.asp?catid=2,32&pageid=192

The Food Revolution

Book title : The Food Revolution; author : John Robbins

I have not read this book but I find the on-line sample chapter interesting.

Homepage : http://www.foodrevolution.org/index.htm

The Food Revolution Book page : http://www.foodrevolution.org/food_revolution.htm

The Food Revolution Book chapter one : http://www.foodrevolution.org/chapter_one.htm

Emotion Free Techniques

Recently I came across this 'Emotion Free Techniques' which can be used to resolve emotional problems as well as physical ailments. Examples of applications include pain relief, anger, addictions, insomnia, allergies, anxiety, depression and the list goes on endlessly. The techniques are very simple and basically they involve using one's fingers to tap on certain major meridiens on the body.

Website : http://www.emofree.com/

To download the free manual : http://www.emofree.com/downloadeftmanual.asp

Tingshi's Initial Wish

Here is my summarized and translated version of the story contained in the Chinese Text Book of Virtues, Book three, Chapter on Trust( 信). Please pardon my translation errors and let me know if you spot any errors.

Liu Tingshi lived during the Song dynasty. Before achieving the title of Jing Shi (进士, this is equivalent to the education level of doctorate in our modern times), he had already made plans to marry a young lady from his home town. At that time, the betrothal gifts had not been given yet. After Liu Tingshi attained the title of Jin Shi, the young lady contracted a illness and became blind. Furthermore, the lady's family became very poor and dare not bring up the marriage matter to Liu Tingshi. Somebody advised Liu Tingshi to marry the young lady's little sister who was not blind. He smiled and replied, "At that time, I have already decided to take her as my wife. How can I go against my initial wish?" Eventually, he married the blind lady who later bore him several sons. After some time, the blind lady passed away and Liu Tingshi never remarry.

The famous scholar, Su Shi (苏轼, his literary name is 苏东坡), asked him, "Grief arises from love and love arises from looks. Where does the love for your wife arise from?" Liu Tingshi replied, "I only know that I had lost my wife." Later, Liu Tingshi retired to a place at Lushan (庐山) and enjoyed longevity, living till a very old age.

Xu Zhijing commented that in ancient times, there were people who questioned one who enjoyed longevity to find out the cause of longevity. The reply was that having an ugly wife was the reason for longevity. Hence, having an ugly wife was to be seen as a blessing and not someone whom one disliked. Moreover, Tingshi did not go against his initial wish of marrying the young lady even though she had become blind. That was an act of benevolence and the benevolent ones enjoyed longevity. Shu Shi, of course knew that and used Liu Tingshi as a good example to educate others and future generations by posing him the question concerning love and looks.

Original Chinese story available HERE 《德育课本》,三集卷四,《二十四信》, 编号 : dykb3-04, story number 18.

The Movie - Mother Teresa of Calcutta

I have watched the movie "Mother Teresa of Calcutta". A very touching film that showed Mother Teresa who chose to live among the poorest of the poor, taking care of the poor, sick, orphaned and dying. She had taught us the true meaning of compassion and charity which transcend all boundaries.

Trailer on youtube :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxQb3nHdPkI

Mother Teresa quotes :

"It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving. - Mother Teresa"

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/mother_teresa.html

http://www.writespirit.net/authors/mother_teresa/mother_teresa_quotes/mother_teresa_love/

Sending Love and Gratitude to Water

Dr Emoto's experiments with water show that the formation of beautiful water crystals is influenced by words, music and human intentions etc. Here are some interesting links :

Emoto Peace Project - Picture book of "The Messages from Water" Children's book in various languages : http://www.emotoproject.org/english/picturebook.html

In 3rd August 2008, Dr Emoto conducted a ceremony of sending Love and Gratitude to the waters in Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia. A huge and beautiful double rainbow was sighted after the ceremony :
http://www.masaru-emoto.net/english/e_ome_home.html

Water crystal images before and after the ceremony : http://www.masaru-emoto.net/english/baikalcrystal.html

Message from Dr Emoto regarding the ceremony : http://www.masaru-emoto.net/english/baikal.html

Report about the ceremony by Dr. Korotkov : http://www.masaru-emoto.net/english/ediary.html#0902

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How are Frozen Water Crystals Photographed? : https://www.hado.net/ (watch video on lower left)

Heart Matters

Recently I came across articles about the 'Heart'.

* In 1980s, Harvard psychologist Dr David McClelland conducted an experiment whereby he showed a group of students a video about Mother Teresa (an embodiment of care and compassion). He compared the students' immune system before and after watching the video by measuring their IgA, or secretory immunoglobulin A levels (IgA is an important measurement of immune system). He discovered that the students' IgA levels increased after watching the video. Other researchers went on to conduct similar experiments using self-induced care and anger. They discovered that generating the feeling of care and compassion greatly increased the test subjects' IgA levels while experiencing the feeling of anger greatly reduced the IgA levels (IgA levels still not back to normal even after six hours!)

Reference link : http://www.heartmath.com/solutions-immune-system-2/ ( Take note of the words which say : Key findings: Heart-focused, sincere, positive feeling states boost the immune system, while negative emotions... )

* Other facts discovered and researched at HeartMath Institute show that the Heart generates the strongest electromagnetic field in the body, influencing the brain and the rest of the body. It sends more signal to the brain then the brain sends to it. Moreover, the Heart is also the strongest biological oscillator in the human body. The other physical organs are also oscillators. (Using the example of a pendulum clock which is also an oscillator with its rhythmic tick-tocks. If you have a room with many pendulum clocks, the biggest oscillator is going to synchronize the other tick-tocks in the room to its own tick-tock rhythm). As a result, the Heart is constantly affecting the rest of the body system with is rhythms. Scientists realized that if you influence the Heart, the while body is automatically influenced. Positive Emotions such as appreciation, compassion, love and other good qualities of the Heart translates to better brain function and immunity.

Reference Links :

http://www.heartmath.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=49
http://www.heartmath.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=51&limit=1&limitstart=2

Other Reference : The Healing Power of The Heart by Tan Hwee Meng, Lapis News 4th Issue October - December 2008 ( http://www.lapislazulilight.com/Inner_Work/Index_Lapis_News_Inner_Work_Article_11.html )

Identifying the bird at Mount Faber

I have emailed Nature Society (Singapore) to help identify the bird which I spotted at Mount Faber. They have replied promptly, identifying it as the female Laced Woodpecker. The male bird will have a reddish crown.
This is the Nature Society (Singapore) website : http://www.nss.org.sg/index.html

Sighting of bird in Mount Faber

Last month, while walking up a flight of steps leading up to Mount Faber, I spotted this bird that was pecking fervently at a hole in a tree trunk. Is it a woodpecker?




Map of the place with a blue marker that approximately indicates the place where I saw the bird (you can drag and zoom or click on 'View Larger Map') :

View Larger Map

Gratitude and Child's Development

In Rudolf Steiner's lecture (The Child's Changing Consciousness: As the Basis of Pedagogical Practice), Rudolf lectured extensively on the development stages of the child. I like to highlight and summarize one of the interesting section.

In Lecture Six (page 124), Rudolf discussed on the three fundamental human virtures, namely gratitude, love and duty. Rudolf pointed out on the importance of nuturing and cultivating the virtue of gratitude in the growing child as it will greatly benefit the child's whole life. The child should live in an environment which is permeated with the mood of gratitude which to a great extent, depends on the behaviour of the people around the child. The development of the this virtue (gratitude) in the child not only affects its (the child's) physical development but also serves as a foundation for the child's development of other virtues such as love and duty.

Reference : The Child's Changing Consciousness: As the Basis of Pedagogical Practice by Rudolf Steiner

Download page for this lecture : http://steinerbooks.org/research/archive.php#waldorf

Two Book Reviews

Recently I read a number of books by Rudolf Steiner. Here are two book reviews which I submitted to Amazon.com for the following titles :
Agriculture: An Introductory Reader: A Collection (Pocket Library of Spiritual Wisdom)
Architecture: An Introductory Reader (Pocket Library of Spiritual Wisdom)

Book reviews link :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A2IYDB9W2W6QGT/ref=cm_cr_dp_auth_rev?ie=UTF8&sort%5Fby=MostRecentReview

The Two Righteousness At Zhu Ya

Here is my summarized and translated version of the story contained in the Chinese Text Book of Virtues, Book two, Chapter on Righteousness( 义). Please pardon my translation errors and let me know if you spot any errors.

During the Han Dynasty in the region of Zhu Ya, there was a county magistrate who passed away. His second wife, with her nine year old son and the daughter of his first wife returned to Zhu Ya to attend to his funeral. The daughter of the magistrate's first wife was called Chu and she was thirteen years old.

During that time, there was strict laws against the possession of pearls. Those who brought in pearls faced the death penalty. Chu's stepmother had a pearl chain which she usually wore at her wrist. Before reaching Zhu Ya's customs, she had removed her pearl chain and threw it away. Without she and Chu noticing, her son went to pick up the pearl chain and put it into her small container.

At Zhu Ya, the custom officers searched and found the pearl chain in the mother's container. They questioned the three of them, "Who should be punished?" Chu immediately replied, "My mum had already thrown away the pearl chain, I secretly went to pick it up and hide it in the container. I should be punished!" Chu's stepmother went on, "I'm the one who love the pearl chain so I should be the one to be punished!" Both stepmother and daughter, with tears flowing down their cheeks, pleaded to be the one to face the death penalty. The custom official greatly admired and respect their righteousness. He was willing to take their place to be punished. He threw away the pearl chain and sent them home.

Original Chinese story available HERE 《德育课本》,二集卷六,《二十四义》, 编号 : dykb2-06, story number 6.

Zhu Chong gave away his calf

Here is my simple translated version of the story contained in the Chinese Text Book of Virtues, Book one, Chapter on Shame. Please pardon my translation errors and let me know if you spot any errors.
During the Jin Dynasty, there was this man named Zhu Chong who love to read. He was very poor and farmed. One day, his neighbour lost a calf. He mistook Zhu Cong's calf as his lost one and brought it home. The lost calf was later found in the forest. The owner was ashamed of his impulsive deed and brought Zhu Chong's calf back to him. However, Zhu Chong declined to accept the calf.
On several occasions, an ox intruded into Zhu Chong's farm and stepped on his crops. Zhu Cong did not show any signs of anger and even brought out forage to feed the intruding ox. Knowing this, the ox's owner felt ashamed and from that time onwards, managed his ox well so that it would not intrude into other people's farm.
After some time, the court issued an order to summon Zhu Chong to be a court official. Zhu Chong declined on reason of illness and later escaped to the mountains. The remote mountains where he dwelt was near the border of another country. The people of that remote region regarded him as a lord.
Original Chinese story available HERE 《德育课本》,初集卷一,《二十四耻》, 编号 : dykb1-08, story number 12).

The veins of life

One day I came across a roadside tree whose leaves caught my attention. It is shaped like a heart or perhaps, like an apple. What I find most striking and beautiful are the veins, so subtlely well defined. Nature is simply marvellous.

An excerpt from William Blake's poem - "Auguries of Innocence" :

To see a world in a grain of sand
And heaven in a wild flower
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour.

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What do you "see" in the veins of the leaves?

Li Zhong and the Earthquake

Here is my simple translated version of the story contained in the Chinese Text Book of Virtues, Book one, Chapter on Filial Piety. Please pardon my translation errors and let me know if you spot any errors.
During the Yuan Dynasty, there was a filial son by the name of Li Zhong who lived in the Jin Ning area. Li Zhong's father passed away when he was very young and he lived together with his mother. He was a very dutiful and filial son, taking good care of his mother. In the seventh year of 'Da De' at the month of August, a very big earthquake occurred. During the earthquake, a mountain moved and caused the collapse of many houses. The number of houses destroyed or buried numbered more than ten thousand and countless people died. Strangely, when the mountain moved to some distance near Li Zhong's house, it splitted into two and moved past the house, leaving the house intact. After moving a little distance away from Li Zhong's house, the splitted mountain merged again. In that region, only Li Zhong's house was not damaged by the earthquake.
Earthquake that resulted in the movement of mountain was a terrible calamity and the resulting affected area was huge. Only the house of one with utmost filial piety survived the quake with no damage. There are many other ancient stories of filial piety which showed filial sons and daughters surviving unharm from natural calamities and epidemic.
Original Chinese story available HERE 《德育课本》,初集卷一,《二十四孝》, 编号 : dykb1-01, story number 23).

Photos of the Southern Ridges

Dear all,

here are some photos of the Southern ridges :

http://picasaweb.google.com/bluesky003/Southridges20080519 (Henderson waves, Forest walk through the elevated walkways, Alexandra Arch)

http://picasaweb.google.com/bluesky003/Hortpark20080524 (Hortpark)

In Hortpark, there is this dancing plant which is located in the
Bougainvillea kingdom. Here are two videos showing the dancing plants in action :

http://www.crisp.nus.edu.sg/~albert/Hortpark20080524/plant1.html

http://www.crisp.nus.edu.sg/~albert/Hortpark20080524/plant2.html


If you want to find out more about this dancing plant including its purchase, check out the following sites :

http://www.banneechen.com.sg/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/979

http://www.banneechen.com.sg/catalog/index.php/cPath/3?osCsid=ff0892857419173d0bacc11ef2094068

Making a rainbow

I recalled that in my secondary school I came across a science book from the school library that demonstrated a simple method of producing a rainbow without the need of using a prism. I tested out the method at that time and it worked, much to my amazement and joy. After so many years, I again tested out this method and it still worked! The 'created' rainbow showed itself on my kitchen wall as shown in Image 1. The method is very simple, simply get a basin of water and a mirror. Partially submerge the mirror, tilted at an angle, in the basin of water under sunlight. As the sunlight gets reflected by the mirror, refracted by the water and travelled out of the water, it will make a rainbow as the seven colours of white light travel at different speeds in water. Here are more methods under wikiHow : http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Rainbow. You have heard of wikipedia but probably not wikiHow : http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page.

Farm visit on 1 May 2008

Recently I visited a farm in Neo Tew Crescent (Near Kranji), it grows wheat grass, edible cactus, aloe vera, several types of mushrooms etc.
Here are some of the photos which I took :

http://picasaweb.google.com/bluesky003/Farmvisit20080501

At the bus stop outside Kranji MRT, there is this bus service known as Kranji Express which transports passengers to many farms at Kranji countryside (Neo Tew Road, Neo Tew Crescent etc). It operates from 9 am to 5 pm daily, including weekends and public holidays (it stops at the farm opposite Sungei Buloh Nature reserve as well)

Links :
http://www.kinyan.biz/index.html
http://www.kranjicountryside.com/template/contact.html
http://www.kranjicountryside.com/template/farmpreneurs.html
http://www.kranjicountryside.com/template/schedule.html

George Washington's Rules of Civility

George Washington was United States first President. During the early eighteenth century when he was young, he copied out 110 Rules of Civility into a notebook. He took the rules seriously and practised them diligently with great self-discipline.

From the rules, you will find courtesy, respect, humility, morality etc, qualities and hallmarks of great men.

Reference :

http://www.foundationsmag.com/civility.html

Cross section of a Papaya

Here is a cross-section of a papaya which I find very interesting. The star shaped interior is quite symmetrical. Nature is simply amazing!

Rainbow

A faint but big rainbow was sighted at the western skies on the early morning of 18 Apr 2008.

The Lotus Effect

As reported in the April's issue of the National Geographic Magazine, the growth and development of Biomimetics (The application of designs from nature to solve problems in engineering and other fields) is gaining great momentum globally.

One example featured is the Lotus Effect. In 1982, Professor Wilhelm Barthlott of the Nees-Institute for Biodiversity in Bonn, Germany, discovered that lotus leaf has a natural self-cleaning mechanism. The microscopic structure of the leaves not only prevent them from being wetted by water, it even causes the water to roll off the leaves' surface like beads, taking dirt, mud and other impurities with them. Professor Barthlott patented his discovery, calling it the Lotus Effect. Since then, nanotechnologists have developed treatments, coatings, paints, roof tiles, fabrics etc that can repel water and self-clean like the lotus leaf.

Science aside, I think that Lotus Effect can also be applied in another way. At times, we may be wronged by the words or deeds of others. Like the lotus leaf which is not wetted by water, we too can be untainted by bad experiences so that we stay calm in such situations and not filled with negative emotions such as anger, depression, frustation etc. Furthermore, these bad experiences are great opportunites for us to do self reflection and correct our mistakes, leading us to improve our conduct and personal effectiveness in life. This is akin to the lotus leaf using the water to clean itself without being 'tainted' by the water.

References :

Lotus Effect in Wikipedia

National Geographic Magazine, Apr issue on Biomimetics (on line edition)

General Yang's Honesty

Here is my summarized and translated version of the story contained in the Chinese Text Book of Virtues, Book one, Chapter on Trust and Credibility ( 信 ). Please pardon my translation errors and let me know if you spot any errors.

During the Jin dynasty ( 晋朝 ), there was a general with the surname of Yang, name Hu and given name Shuzi (see note*). He brought his troops to defend the area of Xiangyang. This area borderd the country of Wu ( 吴国 ) and General Yang's troops often clashed with Wu's army which was led by General Lu Kang. Whenever the army from both sides of the border fought, they must first fixed a date for the battle. Moreover, both sides did not make any sneak attack. Whenever the advisors in General Yang's army wanted to propose any scheming attack plans, General Yang would give them a lot of strong wine to drink so that they could not elaborate on their devious plans. Occasionally General Lu Kang would send General Yang some wine to drink. General Yang would drink those wine without any suspicion. When General Lu Kang fell ill, General Yang sent him some medicines and he took the medicines immediately. Others tried to dissuade General Lu Kang from taking the medicines and he said, "How can there be a Yang Shuzi that poison people?"

When the enemy soldiers heard of General Yang's death, they cried for him. Throughout history, there was only General Yang whose trust and credibility had moved the enemies.

* note : In Ancient China, a person's name was made up of three parts, surname ( 姓 ), name ( 名 ) and given name ( 字 ). Before a person reached adulthood, everyone could call him by his name ( 名 ). A man went through a ceremony ( 冠礼 ) at the age of twenty to signify that he had reached adulthood. After that ceremony, it was disrespectful to call him by his name ( 名 ) . His peers, brothers, classmates and friends would then give him a given name ( 字 ). From that time onwards, everyone would call him by his given name ( 字 ) instead of name ( 名 ). Only his parents and teachers could call him by his name ( 名 ).

Original Chinese story available HERE 《德育课本》,初集卷四,《二十四信》, 编号 : dykb1-04, story number 12).

Special Law in Ancient China

Here is a translation of what I read about recently from a Chinese book :

In modern society, there are many cases whereby young parents have spoilt their children. These children grew up to be unfilial sons / daughters and committed many bad deeds or crimes in society. It was only then that the parents realized their mistakes. It is important to educate the children and being strict with them when they are small as the children’s characters are developed when young. Otherwise it will be too late when they grow up. When such spoilt children grow up, they often go against the wishes of their parents. They will also easily become frustrated when their parents sometimes do not treat them nicely.

In ancient China, there was a special penalty know as [ 亲权处分 ]. It is a law that granted parents the right to request for punishments of their sons / daughters.

Parents could come to the Judge and informed that their son was unfilial and requested the Judge to give their son the death penalty. The Judge would immediately sentence their son to death without trial. This right of parents was a first degree order / priority. In the past, sons and daughters were afraid of their parents. If the parents complained, the Judge would mete out punishments for their sons or daughters accordingly without trial. If the parents requested a jail term of three years for their son, it would be approved immediately. There was no room for argument and trial was not required. Everyone in society would deem that punishment was absolutely right and appropriate. Every parents love their child. A person without the love of their parents would not be accepted by society. During the time when such a law existed, people did not dare to be unfilial as that was punishable by law. Those who were punished were not allowed to engage lawyers and there was no room for defending against their penalty. This is food for thought.

Tembusu Tree; dragon tree; yesterday.sg

You might have known that the Tembusu tree appears on the back of Singapore's five dollar note. The tree featured in the note is the one located in the Botanic gardens. Read on below...

http://yesterday.sg/detail/the_tembusu_tree/

http://yesterday.sg/detail/tembusu_tree_part_ii/

http://flowersinsingapore.blogspot.com/2006/08/tembusu-fragraea-fragrans.html

Pictures of the dragon fruit before it takes on the appearance that you are familiar with :

http://flowersinsingapore.blogspot.com/search/label/Dragon%20fruit

More about yesterday : http://www.yesterday.sg/

The Red Bud Tree

Here is my summarized and translated version of the story contained in the Chinese Text Book of Virtues, Book one, Chapter on Fraternal Love and Respect. Please pardon my translation errors and let me know if you spot any errors.

During the Sui dynasty, there was a family of three brothers who lived together. Tian Zhen was the eldest, followed by Tian Qing and Tian Guang. They had decided to go separate ways and agreed to split the money and property in the house evenly among them. However, there was this blooming red bud tree which grew in front of the house. Who should it belong to? Finally it was decided that the tree would also be splitted evenly to three parts. Before they were going to chop the tree, they were surprised to discover that it had suddenly withered. The eldest brother, Tian Zhen, sighed and said, "The branches of the tree actually arose from the same trunk and roots. The moment it heard that it was going to be splitted, it became wan and withered. Looks like we humans can't even be compared to the trees." He was very much saddened by this. Eventually, the three brothers gave up the idea of going separate ways and continued living together, taking even greater care of one another. Strangely the red bud tree started to thrive and bloom again like in the past.

Li Wen Geng commented that before they had the idea of going separate ways, the three brothers had lived in harmony for quite some time and the red bud tree thrived in the harmonious environment. The action of splitting the family property hurt the harmonious environment in the house and the tree withered although it did not hear about the brothers' decision to split the tree. After the brothers returned to living in harmony, the tree again thrived, showing that it thrived under harmonious environment.

Original Chinese story available HERE 《德育课本》,初集卷二,《二十四悌》, 编号 : dykb1-02, story number 10).

Fried bean curd with bean sprout

You can see the virtues of a great man from the food he ate. Mr Tan Kah Kee was one of the pioneers of Singapore. He was a prominent and successful business man who used much of his fortune for charitable purposes, especially in areas of education. Recently, I came to know that one of his favourite dish was 'Fried bean curd with bean sprout' - 豆干炒豆芽. I'm touched when I heard about this. Although rich, he led a very frugal life, committing much of his time, effort and wealth on educational philanthropy. Here are some of his charitable and selfless deeds :

* In Singapore, he himself set up and helped to set up (through partnership) more than ten schools which included Dao Nan, Ai Tong, Chinese High etc. He was also concerned with the development of English schools and had donated generously to schools that impart English education. For instance, he donated $30,000 to Anglo-Chinese school in 1919.
* In China, he established a series of schools (from Primary to University level) in Jimei, his hometown in Fujian province. Moreover, he had also set up Xiamen University in Fujian province.
* He left his entire fortune of 3 million to the Jimei schools and for other educational purposes, leaving not a penny to his descendants.

References :

http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg/articles/SIP_839_2004-12-28.html

http://www.tkk.wspc.com.sg/tkk/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tan_Kah_Kee

http://www.asiapacbooks.com/product.asp?pid=571&cid=39

Gui Yang Tu

Here is the flash version of the song, Gui Yang Tu (跪羊图) (on-line viewing version) : click HERE
Download version : click HERE

Simple eye exercise

I have come across this simple eye exercise that is said to be capable of soothing strong or negative emotions. When experiencing negative emotions (eg. anger, anxiety, sorrow, frustrations ...) or situations that trigger these emotions, you can roll your eyeballs in a clockwise direction (to the right) three times. After which, roll your eyeballs many times in an anti-clockwise direction (to the left). This can help to pacify oneself and relieve emotions of bad memories and past hurt.

Rolling your eyeballs in the clockwise direction retrieve the emotions deep inside you while rolling your eyeballs in the anti-clockwise direction releases the energy of these emotions.

Doing this exercise before sleep is akin to sweeping away the day's emotional dust and is conducive to a good night sleep.

Reference link.

The Wit and Kindness of Lady Zhan

Here is my simple translated version of the story contained in the Chinese Text Book of Virtues, Book two, Chapter on Filial Piety. Please pardon my translation errors and let me know if you spot any errors.

During the Song dynasty, there was this young lady with the surname of Zhan who lived in the Wuhu area. Since young, she followed the ways of her father, reading the classics and books of learning. Every night, she recited the classic, <<烈女传>> (Biographies of Exemplary Women) several times before retiring for the night. She had also copied down the classic once.

When she was of age seventeen, robbers attacked the city of Wuhu and successfully took control of it. Both her father and elder brother were captured and the robbers were about to kill them. The young lady pleaded with the robbers, crying and begging them, "Please! Although I'm poor and ugly, I'm very willing to follow all of you, in exchange for the life of my father and brother." The robbers consented. She then waved to her father and brother, telling them, "Leave quickly, do not think of me and worry about me, I feel contented to follow the Generals." After that, she left with the robbers. After walking several miles, they came to a bridge east of the city. On the bridge, the young lady jumped into the waters below and was drowned. Many of the robbers were stupefied by the sight.

Lu Kun commended on the virtues of this lady. Her wit and submissive words during the moment of crisis had saved the life of her father and brother. If they were to put up a resistance and condemned the robbers, the whole family would have perished.

Original Chinese story available HERE 《德育课本》,二集卷一,《二十四孝》, 编号 : dykb2-01, story number 12).

Beetroot

Beetroot is one of my favourite vegetable. You can just remove its skin, cut it into slices and boil it with water to make a simple soup. I really like the mild, natural sweetness of the warm beetroot soup. It gives me a warm, peaceful and energetic feeling. Furthermore, you can also do a simple stir fry of the beetroot itself or with other vegetables you like to experiment with. The mild sweet taste of the food will still be there. Give it a try. I think the Chinese name of beetroot is 甜菜根.

A recent study suggests that Beetroot juice can lower blood pressure. You can read about it HERE.

The King and His Hawk

The King and His Hawk is a short story that I have read in the Book of Virtues. In the story, the King (Genghis Khan, the Great Mongolian warrior) learnt that one should not do anything when in anger.

You can read this short story on-line HERE.

There is this Chinese saying that says, "Do not give things/give consent/agree/promise in the midst of great joy. Do not reply letter in the midst of anger. " Anger and great joy are two emotional states that may cause one to do things impulsively, causing much regret later on. This is the actual Chinese saying :

盛喜中勿许人物。盛怒中勿答人书。This saying is contained in the classic << 格言联璧 >>. Click HERE to view the words in this classic.

List of positive books

Dear all,

I have created a list of books that I like to recommend to all :

http://www.crisp.nus.edu.sg/~albert/positive/booklist_all.html

The list contains books suitable for kids, teens and adults. There are also associated book links and libray info.